Treatment of Verruca Plantaris with a Combination of Topical Fluorouracil and Salicylic Acid

Abstract

A medical record review was conducted to determine the clinical outcome and average time to resolution of verruca plantaris in 20 patients treated with twice-daily applications of either 0.5% or 5.0% topical fluorouracil combined with topical 17% and 40% salicylic acid. Seven patients used 0.5% fluorouracil, and 13 used 5.0% fluorouracil. All of the lesions were sharply debrided at regular 1- or 2-week intervals. All 20 patients achieved full clinical resolution in a mean ± SD of 82.5 ± 56.6 days. Three patients (15%) had recurrent lesions, which subsequently resolved with repeated treatment. Two patients (10%) developed local dermatitis, which resolved with temporary discontinuation of the medication and the addition of a topical corticosteroid. It was observed that the twice-daily application of topical fluorouracil and salicylic acid is a safe and effective treatment for verruca plantaris. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 95(4): 366–369, 2005)